Posiciones disponibles

Research Interests

Genomics

Since 1997, our group has participated in the
Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Project, mainly through
random sequencing surveys of both the genome (GSSs) and the
transcriptome (ESTs) of T. cruzi.

We have also
collaborated with other research groups in Argentina and
Europe in small sequencing projects to characterize the
genomes of bacteria causing human and animal diseases and
that have a major impact in the economy of our country
(Brucella abortus, Campylobacter fetus).

More recently, we have performed a survey of the
transcriptome of Trypanosoma carassii: a
trypanosomatid that is both related and different from T.
cruzi and blood dwelling trypanosomes like T.
brucei.

Currently we are evaluating the use of subtractive cDNA
libraries and cDNA libraries made from different mRNA
subsets (polysomal mRNAs, mRNAs associated with membrane
fractions) for gene discovery in trypanosomatid parasites.
The main goal of these studies is the identification of
targets for subsequent biochemical and immunological
characterization. Eventually these would lead to prospective
targets for drug and vaccine development.

Bioinformatics

Our current interests in this area are the identification and
preliminary in silico priorization of
potential targets for drug development in the genomes of
human parasites.

Our laboratory is also interested in gene expression
regulation in trypanosomatids. In this area, we are
interested in characterizing motifs and regulatory signals
present in the UTRs of trypanosomatid mRNAs.